There could be a problem not inviting Dayton. Xavier is a very loyal program. In order for them to go in with the Big East teams Xavier would have to feel it was a significant upgrade AND that the A-10 would be degraded by other programs leaving.I think Butler and St. Louis would feel the same. If the Big East teams just want 2-3 teams, I think Xavier stays. I think it would have to be a package of A-10 teams invited. Creighton, DePaul, Marquette, St. Louis, Dayton, Butler, and Xavier would be a great West division. Georgetown, Providence, Seaton Hall, St. Johns, Villanova, VCU and Richmond would be a great East division. Facing the switch of St. Louis, Dayton, Butler, VCU, Richmond and Xavier would make for a great new league and significantly diminish the A-10. Inviting St. Louis, Butler and Xavier might not be enough to persuade any of the three programs to leave. And those are the top three programs in the A-10 right now, followed closly by VCU and Dayton.

As far as St. Mary's, it is a good program that matches the others, and is in the same time zone as the Zags. Traveling to the left coast time zone for just one game is difficult. But I don't think it really matters. If it was just basketball, it would be fine. Think of the baseball, tennis, cross country, soccer, etc. It would be too cost prohibitive for all the schools.

If you went Catholic-only, you could eliminate Butler. When these conferences are ready to expand, they could look to these Catholic schools (there are probably others as well)
. Fairfield, Loyola Marymount, Loyola Chicago, Loyola (MD), Niagara, St. Francis (NY), St. Peter's, Seattle, Siena, Canisius, Boston College, St. Peter's, Incarnate Word

They'd go at worst 3-3 this season in this division. Their team this season has been pretty average. I don't know if they'll ever beat WISCONSIN and OHIO STATE when they are both good but I think they'll have some 4-2, 5-1 type seasons.

Rutgers isn't as bad as people think they are.

At worst 3-3? C'mon. At BEST, they would be 3-3 this year, and this was a bad year.

When Rutgers beat Virginia Tech in their Bowl Game will you admit they are better than Purdue?

Does this mean that you now have to admit that Rutgers ISN'T as good as Purdue?

CHURCH BALL
Sources say if BYU doesn't join a football conference, it will create a "Mormon 6" hoops league that includes itself, Southern Virginia, BYU-Hawaii, BYU-Idaho, LDS Business College and the South Jordan Glenmoor Stake All-Stars.

...what I hear is that Xavier may not be as "loyal" as you may think commish. They're in, with no conditions on any other A-10 teams being included. Although I guess technically Butler is now an A-10 team.
Although personally I could still see a strong case being made to include Dayton. They certainly are basketball first, but they really don't deliver a media market the size of Cincy, Indy, or even St Louis. I think the Dayton market is even smaller than the Omaha market which is a point of contention when discussing Creighton.

Also the new conference could potentially bring in $2.5+ million each in media rights and eventually another $1.5 million in NCAA tourney units. That $4 million per school is a far cry from the A-10's combined $400k-$500k.

As a graduate of Dayton and having worked in the athletic department the big question is if having Dayton and Xavier would help secure the Columbus market. Cincinnati is a little under 2 hrs away and Dayton about 75 minutes away.

Posted by Iguana1 on 12/31/2012 1:54:00 PM (view original):...what I hear is that Xavier may not be as "loyal" as you may think commish. They're in, with no conditions on any other A-10 teams being included. Although I guess technically Butler is now an A-10 team.
Although personally I could still see a strong case being made to include Dayton. They certainly are basketball first, but they really don't deliver a media market the size of Cincy, Indy, or even St Louis. I think the Dayton market is even smaller than the Omaha market which is a point of contention when discussing Creighton.

Also the new conference could potentially bring in $2.5+ million each in media rights and eventually another $1.5 million in NCAA tourney units. That $4 million per school is a far cry from the A-10's combined $400k-$500k.

I hope you and Al are correct Iguana. It is obvious that Xavier has outgrown the A-10. If Xavier does go, they would definitely pull a few other programs with them.

Posted by Iguana1 on 12/31/2012 1:54:00 PM (view original):...what I hear is that Xavier may not be as "loyal" as you may think commish. They're in, with no conditions on any other A-10 teams being included. Although I guess technically Butler is now an A-10 team.
Although personally I could still see a strong case being made to include Dayton. They certainly are basketball first, but they really don't deliver a media market the size of Cincy, Indy, or even St Louis. I think the Dayton market is even smaller than the Omaha market which is a point of contention when discussing Creighton.

Also the new conference could potentially bring in $2.5+ million each in media rights and eventually another $1.5 million in NCAA tourney units. That $4 million per school is a far cry from the A-10's combined $400k-$500k.

I hope you and Al are correct Iguana. It is obvious that Xavier has outgrown the A-10. If Xavier does go, they would definitely pull a few other programs with them.

BTW, "2bounce" and "commish118" are one in the same. Didn't realize I was logged in as 2bounce when I responded.